Bar Council responds to publication of LETR

The Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and
Wales, has responded to the Legal Education and Training Review
(LETR), which was published today.

Maura McGowan QC, Chairman of the Bar,
said:

"We welcome the publication of the LETR, which we have been
expecting and anticipating for some time. Entrance to the
profession remains one of our biggest challenges and one which we
take exceptionally seriously.

"As a profession, we are committed to attracting a diverse pool
of the most talented applicants. However, we also recognise the
shrinking number of places available, particularly at the publicly
funded Bar, and the rising cost of entering the profession. To that
extent, a wholesale review of training is welcome.

"This is a lengthy review, which we will wish properly to
consider and digest before offering a fuller response. It
recognises that the current system of legal services education and
training provides, for the most part, a good standard of education
and training. This will provide a solid foundation for ensuring
that the system remains fit for the future.

"A number of the proposals relating to training for the Bar
appear to be sensible and rational developments of legal training,
in keeping with the emerging legal services infrastructure. Indeed,
much of this work was already underway, either preceding the LETR
or in tandem with it. We will take time to examine carefully the
full impact of the recommendations and provide our own suggestions
for improving the system in due course to ensure that our
collective objectives can be met."